Future fears for Cipriani after gruesome injury

England's 21-year-old fly half prodigy lay in a London hospital after being carried out of Wasps' Premiership play-off semi-final against Bath wearing an oxygen mask.

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The grotesque state of his right ankle, bent at right angles during an accidental double tackle, bore a sickening similarity to the damage suffered by the Arsenal footballer Eduardo, which requires a nine-month recovery.

The full extent of Cipriani's blow will not be known until today but there were fears last night that a suspected dislocation and break could keep him out for at least nine months.

As well as missing Wasps' Grand Final against champions Leicester at Twickenham on Saturday week, it robs him of the prospect of going head-to-head with the world's leading fly half, Dan Carter, during England's two Tests in New Zealand next month.

It took a 10-man medical team six-and-a-half minutes to deal with the emergency after Cipriani had been trapped in a ruck. International referee Chris White, aware of the severity of the damage, blew his whistle immediately and Cipriani's agony had a distressing effect on both teams.

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Steve Borthwick, England's new captain who was leading Bath, said: "Every one of us on the field was disturbed by what we saw. Danny was in tremendous pain and our hearts go out to him. You never want to see an injury like that happen to any player.

"We all risk those kind of injuries every time we take the field. Danny is a sensational rugby player and very important to English rugby for many years to come. At times like these, rugby becomes of secondary importance. We all want to see him making a speedy and complete recovery."

Cipriani had kicked his 100th Wasps goal of an outstanding season shortly before the fateful tackle. The blow will leave England manager Martin Johnson, watching among a crowd of 10,000, without both his leading fly halves against the All Blacks.

Jonny Wilkinson was already a non-starter, having needed shoulder surgery last week. Charlie Hodgson, overlooked for the World Cup last year after recovering from a serious knee injury, was named last week as Cipriani's deputy.

With two other Test fly halves, Olly Barkley and Toby Flood, going to New Zealand as inside centres, Johnson will consider reinforcing his back division elsewhere rather than promoting Gloucester's uncapped 21-year-old, Ryan Lamb.

After two brief appearances during the Six Nations as a substitute, Cipriani replaced the dropped Wilkinson against Ireland at Twickenham in March and responded by kicking seven goals from seven attempts.

Wasps know from bitter experience that he will not play again for a long time. A similar injury during the first match of the Lions tour of New Zealand three years ago put Wasps captain Lawrence Dallaglio out for six months.

"We don't know at this stage whether it's a dislocation or a break," he said.

"We can only hope that it's not too serious and that he's back playing sooner than I was.

"He got his leg caught under another player, which often happens. It's very unfortunate because Danny has a huge future. He will be in expert care and come back all the stronger. There is no need to worry too much about him. Unfortunately, in a game of such ferocity, there were always going to be casualties."

Wasps, who also lost another of their England contingent, Tom Voyce, with a dislocated shoulder, were concerned only for Cipriani, not for the consequences of their finale to the season on May 31.

"Our only priority is for Danny to be 100 per cent fit again," said Ian McGeechan, the club's director of rugby.

"We will make sure that happens and that, when he comes back, he is 100 per cent fit."

Another Wasp, fellow England international James Haskell, spoke of the trauma felt within the dressing room.

"We are saddened because Danny is one of the best players in the world," Haskell said.

"An injury of this nature hits you hard but we have great medical staff. There are a lot of good people who will make his recovery a speedy one.

"Danny will be determined to come back from this because he is determined to be a success."

Cipriani, nominated to sweep the board during the awards season over the next fortnight as English rugby's player and young player of the year, had been recognised at Wasps' annual banquet last week when he likened the club to "one big family".